CIM Methods Fellowships

Call for Applications 25/26

The Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies (CIM) at the University of Warwick is inviting applications for CIM Fellowships from researchers across all faculties at Warwick and from practitioners, independent professionals, and organisations in the region. Others may also be able to apply – please see below for further information on eligibility and application process.

The purpose of these Fellowships is to provide opportunities for Fellows to be able to:

develop a research idea or project requiring methodological experimentation (see this FAQ for our broad definition of methodological experimentation)
exchange ideas with researchers based in CIM and across Warwick
benefit from access to CIM’s expertise (please see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/cim/people/)
join a community of Fellows that will spearhead interdisciplinarity and methodological innovation.

Each Fellowship is expected to lead to two main outcomes. Fellows will share an output in a format that best suits their project, e.g. a report, blog, illustration, podcast, or video. Each Fellowship will also design a “Fellowship Finale” event to showcase their work. CIM will provide administrative and logistical support for organising the event.

On completion of the Fellowship, participants will become life-long CIM Methods Fellows and continue to connect, collaborate, exchange, and share beyond their Fellowship period.

The Fellowship may be conducted at CIM or remotely, although the finale event will ideally be held in person, for instance at the University of Warwick. Alternative venues may be considered where more appropriate.

We especially welcome applications on one of CIM’s current research themes:

The Future of Knowledge and Intelligence Infrastructures

… including, among others, fields such as AI, computing, data analytics, interfaces, cybersecurity, reproducibility, complexity, infrastructures, platforms, algorithms 

Democratising Information and Participation

… including, among others, fields such as digital platform infrastructures and the app economy, cyber-security governance, digital health and human rights, social justice and the environment, participation in science and technology, AI and inclusive decision-making, dis- and misinformation in digital media and culture

Making Methods Matter

… including, among others, simulation and modelling, situational analytics, data visualisation, participatory action research, software development, design, creative and interpretive methods; ethnography. 

Who is eligible?

We invite applications from UK-based scholars in any discipline and practitioners of all kinds. In this first year of the scheme, we invite joint applications involving regional applicants and members of CIM. We invite applicants to co-design your Fellowship application by contacting any member of CIM whose work and research interests best aligns with your proposal. We recommend reaching out early to explore possibilities together and allow time to shape your application. Please, also see FAQs below.

What is provided?

Up to £5,000 for research expenses, including research assistance, e.g. for literature reviews, data analysis, etc. Other benefits include desk space (where required), access to the University’s libraries, travel, and invitations to events and seminars run by CIM. Unfortunately, we cannot cover salary costs. If you are in doubt about the eligibility of costs, please get in touch with Erica Kendrick ( ), CIM Research Administrator, for guidance.

What is the closing date for applications?

Applications close at 12:00 pm on Friday, 16th January 2026 and must be submitted online CIM Methods Fellowships – Call for Applications 25/26 – Fill in form

As this is the inaugural round of Fellowships, the number of awards will be confirmed following the review process in Feb 2026. We expect to review applications on a rolling basis, with up to three Fellowships awarded each year, and will communicate future application deadlines in due course.

Key dates

20th Nov (Thu) 2025	Call open, submission system is live: CIM Methods Fellowships – Call for Applications 25/26 – Fill in form
16th Jan (Fri) 2026, 12:00 p	Application deadline
Feb 2026	Decisions notified to applicants
April 2026	Earliest start date for Fellowships
Fellowship end date	Fellowships typically last between three and twelve months and can be structured flexibly around other commitments.

Questions for applicants

Below are the questions included in the online application for CIM Methods Fellowships – Call for Applications 25/26 – Fill in form. You may find it helpful to download a copy of the questions and draft your responses offline first to prevent any loss of information due to technical issues.

If you have any accessibility requirements or need support with the application process, please get in touch with the Fellowship host (contact information below).

Why do you wish to apply for this Fellowship? What benefits would the Fellowship bring you? What ideas / insights / experience would you bring to CIM? (max. 500 words)
Please give an outline of your proposed project and explain the importance of methodological experimentation to the project. Explain how the project relates to our research themes. (max. 500 words)
Please give a summary budget for costs associated with the Fellowship. Please contact Erica Kendrick ( ), CIM Research Administrator, for guidance.
What ideas would you suggest for the theme and format of an event to share your ideas? (max. 250 words)

Fellowship hosts

CIM are proud to sponsor and host the Fellowships. For those exploring a partnership, please contact a relevant CIM staff member whose work is most relevant or interesting to your project.

If you have questions not covered here or in the FAQs, please get in touch with Dr Kavin Narasimhan –

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long is the Fellowship?

We expect the first round of Fellows to begin in April 2026. Fellowships typically last between three and twelve months and can be structured flexibly around other commitments. CIM will help arrange any research assistance, following which Fellows can coordinate directly with their Research Assistant (RA) and CIM staff partner. A Warwick email address will be provided to support this. Please indicate tentative start and end dates in your application to help us plan and offer appropriate logistical and administrative support.

Do I need to be at CIM for the duration of the Fellowship?

Physical presence at CIM is not required. We do, however, encourage some in-person days for participating in events and meetings with your RA and the CIM team. Travel for these visits can be reimbursed from your Fellowship budget (for Fellows external to the University of Warwick), so please indicate in your application how many in-person days you anticipate.

Do you welcome international applicants? What is methodological experimentation?

We take a flexible view of what counts as methodological experimentation. We are primarily interested in projects that have methodology at their core (across any discipline) and that experiment with it to explore new directions, critique or complement existing approaches, spark debate about future developments, and create forums that foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration as part of the methodological process. There is no expectation to cover all these aspects, and you may identify other areas of shared interest with a CIM member.

If I am applying as an organisation, who would the Fellow be? What if I wish to collaborate with staff across and beyond Warwick through the Fellowship?

While working with a CIM staff member is a requirement for this call, we actively encourage Fellows to connect with and involve other colleagues from across the University of Warwick if they wish. You can indicate any additional collaborators on the application form. Listing this information helps us understand potential synergies, but applications will be assessed solely on your responses to the questions listed above.

Can current PhD students apply?

Yes. However, the Fellowship is primarily designed for individuals who are either further along in their doctoral trajectory (e.g. nearing completion) or who have substantial applied or practice-based experience. Others are welcome to apply, but should be aware that the selection process prioritises candidates whose career stage aligns with the applied and/or advanced profile the role is designed for. PhD students should also consult their supervisors regarding their proposal’s alignment with their degree milestones and secure their approval.